Abu Wabu

TPM Muckraker:

The key swing votes have swung. Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) say they're voting for, meaning that Michael Mukasey will make it through the Senate Judiciary Committee and almost certainly be confirmed as the next attorney general.

Here's Schumer's explanation, via Roll Call (sub. req.):

“I deeply esteem those who believe the issue of torture is so paramount that Judge Mukasey’s views on it should be the sole determinant of our vote,” Schumer said in a statement. “But I must respectfully disagree.

“The Justice Department is a shambles: politicized and demoralized. The belief and hope [is] that Justice Mukasey, with his experience, independence and integrity, can restore the department motivates my vote.”

And here's Feinstein, in a release just out:

"I believe that Judge Mukasey is the best we will get and voting him down would only perpetuate acting and recess appointments, allowing the Administration to avoid the transparency that confirmation hearings provide and diminish effective oversight by Congress."

Feinstein has broken with Democratic leadership, such as it is hardy har, in the past over justice appointments. Schumer has a singular face-saving motivation in that he has recently trumpeted Mukasey's virtues from the hilltops, and would have crowned his reputation as a first-class cad had he abandoned Bush's appointee. Such bitter fruit for Chuckie to swallow, but Bush will do that to you, oh will he.

Cue the Children:

Alguien wrote on November 2, 2007 4:59 PM:

Chuck:YOU SOLD OUT!No more contributions for YOU!Tell AIPAC to write you a nice fat check in exchange for betraying your country!YOU HAVE BLOOD IN YOUR HANDS!(And I truly hope some day you have water in your lungs, so you can experience the pleasure of waterboarding!] (Wow! I have blood in my hands, too! ~ Ed.)

oldtree wrote on November 2, 2007 5:02 PM:

We can't expect more from either of these two senators. They are probably the victims of the wiretapping and their illegal campaign dollars are known to cheney.they are repulsive, and I am thankful that I don't live in a state that would elect such human garbage. Imagine voting to confirm someone you know to be working against the law you swore to uphold?

Makes them traitors according to the rule of law, doesn't it? (Uh, no. ~ Ed.)

Yada yada yada.

I'm willing to bet that every one of these lefties vowing to never ever give another red cent to the Dems has never ever given one red cent to the Dems. Otherwise the Dems'd be in better shape, yeah?

Darleen at Protein Wisdom:

Ah, the love and understanding when one of their “own” pet minorities steps from the Revealed Truth.